NL Power Rankings: Padres cooling

Pittsburgh Pirates (Two weeks ago: 6)

The first team to 50 wins, Pittsburgh is hoping this year’s fast start will translate into that elusive playoff berth. If it does, it’s looking more and more like the Pirates will have to do it without LHP Wandy Rodriguez (forearm).

Next Monday: AL Power Rankings

/ APShare

2

St. Louis Cardinals (1)

Wait. The Cardinals are trailing the Pirates in the NL Central? Seriously? Yup. Don’t expect that to last too long.

/ APShare

3

Atlanta Braves (3)

With RHP Brandon Beachy speeding back to the rotation, the Braves suddenly have a surplus in starting pitching. That could make LHP Paul Maholm (8-6, 3.75) expendable if they want to add a bat to the lineup.

/ APShare

4

Cincinnati Reds (2)

Trouble in Cincinnati? Maybe not. RHP Johnny Cueto (4-2, 3.33) is back on the disabled list with a right lat injury, but LHP Tony Cingrani (3-0, 3.42) is more than a serviceable plug-in.

/ APShare

5

Arizona Diamondbacks (4)

The Diamondbacks are contending without having their projected center fielder all year. It looks like that will change in the second half as Adam Eaton (elbow) begins to make progress in his rehab.

/ APShare

6

Colorado Rockies (5)

That Roy Oswalt experiment is a bust so far. He’s 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA despite striking out 13.1 per nine innings.

Hayne Palmour IVShare

7

San Diego Padres (7)

The Padres have cooled of late. Their fortunes could change soon, however, with SS Everth Cabrera, 1B Yonder Alonso and 2B Jedd Gyorko nearing returns from the disabled list.

/ APShare

8

Los Angeles Dodgers (11)

The word around the league is, “Here come the Dodgers.” If Matt Kemp returns to form, Los Angeles will be tough to pitch to with OF Yasiel Puig, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, Kemp and SS Hanley Ramirez in the middle of that order.

/ APShare

9

Washington Nationals (9)

Phenom Bryce Harper (knee) hasn’t played a game since May 26. He’s expected to return to the lineup Monday and the underachieving Nationals can’t afford another setback.

/ APShare

10

Chicago Cubs (13)

RHP Matt Garza is quickly becoming the hottest commodity on the trading market. He has allowed just two runs over his last 22 innings, striking out 23 and walking five over that stretch.

/ APShare

11

San Francisco Giants (8)

Believe it or not, the Giants – with their wealth of homegrown talent on the mound the last few years – need a starting pitcher as bad as anyone. RHP Matt Cain (5-4, 4.29) isn’t his ace-like self and RHP Tim Lincecum (4-8, 4.64) might not deserve his spot in the rotation.

/ APShare

12

New York Mets (15)

So much for RHP Zack Wheeler’s fast start. After winning his debut, the 23-year-old has been pounded in two straight starts.

/ APShare

13

Philadelphia Phillies (10)

With 2B Chase Utley in the lineup, the Phillies feel like a much more complete team. Wonder if that will sway the front office from shopping a valuable piece this month?